Healthcare in the Smart Home: A Study of Past, Present and Future

Open Access journalUbiquitous or Pervasive Computing is an increasingly used term throughout the technology industry and is beginning to enter the consumer electronics space in its most recent form under the umbrella term: “Internet of Things”. One area of focus is in augmenting the home with intelligent, networked sensors and computers to create a Smart Home which opens a host of possibilities for the role of tomorrow’s dwelling. As the world’s population continues to live longer and consequently experience more medical-related ailments, at the same time institutional healthcare is struggling to cope, the role of the Smart Home becomes paramount to monitoring a dweller’s health and providing any necessary intervention. This study looks at the history of Smart Home Healthcare, current research areas, and potential areas of future investigation. Unique categorisations are presented in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Personal Sensors, and a thorough look at the application of Smart Home Healthcare is presented. Technology can augment traditional methods of healthcare delivery and in some cases completely replace it. Costs can be reduced and medical adherence can be increased, all of which contribute to a more sustainable and effective model of care

Strategic Intelligence Monitor on Personal Health Systems (SIMPHS): Report on Typology/Segmentation of the PHS Market

This market segmentation reports for Personal Health Systems (PHS) describes the methodological background and illustrates the principles of classification and typology regarding different fragments forming this market. It discusses different aspects of the market for PHS and highlights challenges towards a stringent and clear-cut typology or defining market segmentation. Based on these findings a preliminary hybrid typology and indications and insights are created in order to be used in the continuation of the SIMPHS project. It concludes with an annex containing examples and cases studies.JRC.DDG.J.4-Information Societ

Home telehealth in older patients with heart failure – costs, adherence, and outcomes

Susanna Spinsante Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Informazione, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy Abstract: This short review discusses the role of telehealth technologies in the management of older patients with heart failure, from different perspectives. Instead of providing a systematic overview of existing literature in the field, this paper provides evidence for a simple, but effective, paradigm upon which a telehealth system may be built, and highlights how such a model may successfully apply to heart failure management, to improve patients' quality of life after discharge, increase independency, and reduce readmissions and costs for the public health institutions. A few examples are discussed, to show the real applicability of the proposed model and further confirm the effectiveness of telehealth, when properly designed and tailored to users' needs. Keywords: remote health care, workflow, requirement

Use of Mobile Health Technologies for Self-tracking Purposes among Seniors: A Comparison to the General Adult Population in Canada

Based on a national survey of adults investigating digital self-tracking in Canada, this study compares seniors’ use of mHealth technologies to the general population, and explores the factors related to their use. Despite significant differences between the two groups on smart technologies and Internet use, a considerable number of seniors in the community use smart phones and digital tablets and are familiar with smart devices/wearables. Yet, only 20% reported downloading mobile applications (mApps) and 12% indicated using smart devices/wearables. The majority of mApps downloaded by seniors were health-related; interestingly, their use was sustained over a longer period of time compared to the general population. No significant differences were observed between the two groups with regard to satisfaction with mHealth technologies and intention to continue using them, which were favorable. Leveraging these technologies in partnership with health care providers, and sharing of health/wellbeing data with health professionals, family members or friends remains very limited

Telemedicine Scenario for Elderly People with Comorbidity

Progressive population aging is associated with negative social and economic impacts mainly due to its associated comorbidity rather than to aging per se. In this regard, information and communication technology resources may provide useful tools to assist the population with comorbidities through the use of telemedicine systems. However, despite their potential, such systems have not yet been effectively implemented due to a number of different reasons: absence of a clear business plan, poor acknowledgement of their clinical usefulness, and ethical and legal issues, among others. An analysis of current scenario from the point of view of the different actors (patients, health care providers, and health care systems) aimed at identifying the needs to be covered by telemedicine systems that could contribute to overcoming such problems. The present chapter is intended to offer such an analysisPostprint (author’s final draft

Technology Use in Managing the Nutrition Health of Older Adults: A Scoping Review

Technology improvements for health care may enable nutritional health management for older adults. Research has yet to map the types of technology utilized to manage nutrition. This scoping review includes research in technology and nutrition to: (1) explain how technology is used to manage the nutrition needs of older adults; (2) describe the types of technology used to manage nutrition. The literature period was 21 years, but 86 percent of the papers retained were published within the past five years. The most common type of technology used is software, which is used to: (1) track, plan, and execute nutrition management and (2) assess technology use. The findings show that software for older adults lacks standardization. The internet of things is a promising area for research, and personal devices emphasize the tablet computer. The results suggest that managing older adult nutrition through technology is not yet a formable research area

Holistic System Design for Distributed National eHealth Services

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A new track for technology: Can ICT take care for healthier lifestyles?

The paper takes a look on potential contribution of Information and Communication Technologies to abate public health challenges caused by demographics and lifestyle. From the current convergence of mhealth, and sport market products emerge targeting normal athletes to control their training in a quantified manner. The resulting feedback and transparency foster a healthier lifestyle. These products and services help overcome limitations to innovation typical to the health care market. The paper is based on research by the European Commission's Institute for Prospective Technological Studies on Integrated Personal Health/Care services. --eHealth,Integrated Personal Health/Care services,sport,training,lifestyle related disease,innovation